36) Conquer Shoulder Bursitis with Expert Physiotherapy

Got an annoying ache in your shoulder that just won’t go away? It could be bursitis. In this blog, we’ll break down what shoulder bursitis actually is, how to spot the signs early, and—most importantly—how physiotherapy can help you bounce back pain-free.

Why Is My Shoulder So Sore?

If you’ve been dealing with persistent shoulder pain, especially when reaching overhead or lying on your side, you’re not alone. Shoulder bursitis is a common culprit that can sneak up after repetitive movements, poor posture, or even a minor bump to the shoulder.

Bursitis refers to inflammation of the bursa—small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joint. When the bursa becomes irritated or inflamed, it can lead to swelling, pain, and stiffness, often affecting your day-to-day activities like dressing, driving, or even sleeping. Bursitis can occurr elsewhere in our body, click this LINK for our hip bursitis blog.

The good news? It’s very treatable—and that’s where physiotherapy comes in.

What Exactly Is Shoulder Bursitis?

The shoulder has several bursae, but the subacromial bursa is the one most likely to cause trouble. It sits between your rotator cuff tendons and the bony arch of your shoulder blade (the acromion). When this bursa gets inflamed, it creates friction in the joint, which leads to that nasty, nagging pain.

Common Causes of Shoulder Bursitis

Repetitive overhead movements (e.g. painting, throwing, swimming)
Poor posture or slouching
Direct trauma (falling on the shoulder)
Rotator cuff injuries or impingement
Age-related degeneration

Signs You Might Have Shoulder Bursitis

You might be dealing with bursitis if you notice:

A dull ache or sharp pain in the shoulder
Discomfort when lying on the sore side
Pain with overhead activities like reaching or washing hair
Swelling or warmth near the shoulder
Limited range of motion

One tell-tale sign: the pain often feels worse at night, especially when trying to sleep on the affected shoulder.

Why Physiotherapy Is a Game-Changer

Too often, people try to “rest” their way through shoulder pain, only to find that it lingers or gets worse. While rest might temporarily ease symptoms, physiotherapy gets to the root of the issue.

At our clinic, we focus on:

1. Reducing Inflammation and Pain

In the early stages, your physio may use ice, gentle massage, taping, or modalities like ultrasound therapy or dry needling to calm things down.

2. Restoring Shoulder Mobility

Once inflammation settles, we’ll help you regain range of motion through gentle stretching, joint mobilisation, and guided movements to avoid stiffness.

3. Strengthening Supporting Muscles

We’ll target weaknesses in the rotator cuff, scapular stabilisers, and postural muscles—key players in preventing bursitis from returning.

4. Correcting Posture and Movement Patterns

Poor posture and movement habits are often the sneaky reason bursitis develops. Your physio will assess and coach you on better techniques—whether it’s your desk setup or your gym form.

What Happens If You Don’t Treat It?

Ignoring shoulder bursitis can lead to:

Chronic pain that lingers for months
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
Rotator cuff impingement
Reduced quality of life

That’s why early intervention is so important. Don’t just “put up with it”—sort it out before it gets worse.

Meet Jess: A Real Patient Story

Jess, a 43-year-old hairdresser from Frenchs Forest, came to us with intense shoulder pain that had been creeping in for months. She initially brushed it off as “just work strain,” but it gradually got to the point where she couldn’t lift her arm to blow-dry clients’ hair without wincing.

An ultrasound confirmed subacromial bursitis and mild rotator cuff tendinopathy. Jess was worried she’d need a cortisone injection—or worse, surgery.

But with a structured physiotherapy plan, she turned things around.

Here’s how Jess improved:

Week 1–2: Pain relief strategies including taping, dry needling, and gentle stretches.
Week 3–6: Progressive strengthening of her rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles.
Week 7–10: Return-to-work conditioning, including postural retraining and lifting techniques specific to her role.
Outcome: Jess was back to full duties by week 8, pain-free and confident in her shoulder. No injections needed.

She now does maintenance exercises twice a week and pops in for a check-up every few months.

How Long Does Shoulder Bursitis Take to Heal?

With early treatment, mild cases can resolve in 3–6 weeks. More stubborn cases may take a couple of months—especially if there are coexisting issues like tendinopathy or impingement.

Your physio will guide you through each stage so you’re not stuck in limbo wondering if you’re doing too much—or not enough.

What About Cortisone Injections?

Cortisone can be effective at settling inflammation, but it’s not always necessary. In many cases, physiotherapy alone is enough, especially if you’re committed to a tailored program.

We usually suggest trying at least 4–6 weeks of physio first. If pain persists or significantly impacts your sleep and function, a cortisone shot may be considered in conjunction with ongoing rehab.

And for those who don’t love needles (like Jess!), physiotherapy is a great first-line option.

Top Tips to Prevent Bursitis

Whether you’re recovering or want to avoid shoulder issues down the track, these tips are golden:

Check your posture—especially if you sit at a desk or drive a lot.
Warm up before any overhead activities or sports.
Balance your workouts—don’t just focus on chest and arms, strengthen the back and rotator cuff too.
Avoid repetitive strain—take breaks if your job or hobby involves lots of overhead work.
Get niggles checked early—small issues can snowball if ignored.

When to See a Physio

Come see us if:

Your shoulder pain isn’t going away after a week or two
It hurts to lift, reach, or lie on your shoulder
You’ve had shoulder pain on and off for months
You’re relying on painkillers or avoiding certain activities
You’ve already tried rest, but it hasn’t worked

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Shoulder bursitis doesn’t have to drag you down. With the right physiotherapy treatment, most people make a full recovery and get back to doing what they love—pain-free.

At our clinic, we take the time to listen, assess, and tailor your rehab to your goals, whether that’s getting back to work, sport, or simply sleeping comfortably again.

Don’t let shoulder pain hold you back. Let’s fix it—together.

References and Further Reading

Give us a call today on 9806 3077, or book online, just CLICK HERE